Police inspect the crime scene where attackers armed with knives killed at least one in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, on March 14, 2014. Barely two weeks after a brutal knife attack left dozens dead in south-western Kunming city, another fatal stabbing attack has occurred in China, this time in central Hunan province. -- PHOTO: AFP

By Esther Teo, China Correspondent In Beijing

Barely two weeks after a brutal knife attack left dozens dead in south-western Kunming city, another fatal stabbing attack has occurred in China, this time in central Hunan province.

The official Xinhua agency reported that a group of knife-wielding assailants attacked passers-by on Friday morning on a street in provincial capital Changsha city, according to local authorities.

At least one body was seen lying on the ground at the crime scene, according to Xinhua, although netizens said on Twitter-like Sina Weibo that at least four were killed.

Netizens said that the attack was carried out in a market by five assailants. One was caught, another shot dead while three had escaped.